Short-Term Inpatient Care When Symptoms Can’t Be Managed at Home
Most hospice care happens at home. But when pain or other symptoms become too severe to control there, your loved one may need a short stay in an inpatient setting with around-the-clock nursing. Our team arranges this care and stays involved until your loved one is comfortable again.
What Is Inpatient Hospice Care?
General inpatient care is one of the four levels of hospice care covered by Medicare. It is a short-term level of care for pain control or acute symptom management that cannot be provided in the home or other residential setting.
The goal is to bring symptoms under control as quickly as possible. Once your loved one is comfortable, they can usually return home and continue with routine hospice care.
When Inpatient Care May Be Needed
Our team may recommend a short inpatient stay when a patient has:
What Inpatient Care Provides
24-Hour Nursing
Registered nurses are available around the clock to monitor and treat symptoms.
Intensive Symptom Control
Medications and treatments can be adjusted quickly and closely watched.
Continued Hospice Team
Our hospice team stays involved and coordinates with the inpatient staff.
Family Support
Social workers and chaplains continue to support your family during the stay.
A Plan to Return Home
When symptoms are controlled, we plan your loved one’s return to home care.
Comfort and Dignity
Care stays focused on comfort, dignity and your loved one’s wishes.
Where Inpatient Care Is Provided
Inpatient hospice care is provided in a Medicare-certified setting that offers around-the-clock nursing, such as:
- A hospice inpatient unit
- A hospital
- A skilled nursing facility
Our team will explain the options and help arrange the stay.
Paying for Inpatient Care
General inpatient care is part of the Medicare Hospice Benefit and is also covered by Medi-Cal and many private insurance plans for eligible patients.
Under the Medicare and Medi-Cal hospice benefit, there is typically no out-of-pocket cost for hospice services.
Our team will explain your coverage before any inpatient stay.
How an Inpatient Stay Works
Assessment
Our nurse and hospice physician assess whether symptoms can be managed at home.
Arranging the stay
If inpatient care is needed, we coordinate the stay and transfer with your family.
Back to home care
Once your loved one is comfortable, we plan their return home with routine care.
Other Levels of Hospice Care
Questions About Inpatient Hospice Care
How long does an inpatient stay last?
Inpatient care is short-term. It lasts only until pain and symptoms are under control, and then your loved one can usually return home.
Is inpatient care the same as respite care?
No. Inpatient care is for symptoms that can’t be managed at home. Respite care is a short stay of up to five days that gives family caregivers a rest, even when symptoms are stable.
Can family visit during an inpatient stay?
Yes. Family can usually visit, following the visiting policies of the facility where care is provided.
Does going inpatient mean my loved one is leaving hospice?
No. Inpatient care is part of hospice. Your loved one remains a hospice patient, and our team stays involved throughout.
Talk With Our Team
If your loved one’s symptoms are hard to manage at home, call our nurses any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
323-545-2565